The United States market is opening up additional headroom for Vietnamese seafood, particularly for swimming crab products, as supplies from several competing countries contract. However, this opportunity comes alongside pressures from an additional 12.5% tariff under Section 301 and increasingly stringent requirements regarding food safety and veterinary drug residue control in shrimp.

According to Customs Department statistics, in June 2026, the US market accounted for 17.3% of Vietnam's total seafood export value, ranking behind China (20.8%) and ahead of Japan (14.9%). In June alone, Vietnam's shrimp exports to the US reached 62.1 million USD, up 33.3% compared to the same period in 2025; tuna reached 32.2 million USD, surging by 120.9%; while catfish (pangasius) reached 30.1 million USD, down 7.1%.

Thus, the United States remains a market with substantial purchasing power and plays a crucial role for Vietnam's seafood industry. However, Vietnamese seafood enterprises must compete on multiple fronts simultaneously, spanning supplementary tariffs, selling prices, supply availability, as well as labor, environmental, and food safety standards.

In the short term, swimming crab products may be among the earliest beneficiaries. Information from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) indicates that the US crab meat market is facing supply shortages as regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) begin impacting import operations. Effective June 11, 2026, crab products from two Philippine fisheries are no longer eligible for import into the United States, while supplies from Venezuela have also encountered disruptions. This shift is creating opportunities for suppliers that remain compliant with MMPA mandates, including Vietnam.

According to VASEP, Vietnam has additional headroom to expand its market share in the US; however, market access advantages are accompanied by cost pressures, as Vietnamese goods have been subject to a 12.5% supplementary tariff under Section 301 since July 24, 2026. Therefore, while opportunities to expand crab exports to the US are evident, competitive viability will depend heavily on price positioning and the capacity to absorb tariff expenses.

For shrimp—the highest-earning commodity in Vietnam's seafood export basket to the US—enterprises face strict food safety control requirements.

According to an analysis of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) OASIS data conducted by the Southern Shrimp Alliance, in the first 6 months of 2026, India and Indonesia each had 10 shrimp shipment lines refused by the FDA, while Vietnam recorded 9 refused lines due to food safety violations, including veterinary drug residues. In a context where the FDA is intensifying oversight, even isolated violations can elevate inspection risks, lead to import refusals, and tarnish the entire sector's image.

The US market is therefore presenting a paradox: while market share expansion opportunities have widened for select commodities, the "cost of staying in the market" is growing ever higher. The ability to satisfy standards, manage quality, and optimize operational costs will serve as decisive factors in determining how effectively Vietnamese seafood enterprises can capitalize on this window of opportunity.

Additionally, according to the WTO and Integration Center under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vietnamese enterprises must also continue monitoring other US Section 301 investigations related to overcapacity and intellectual property. These developments could continue to shape market access conditions in the coming period.

Source: Tap chi Thuy san Viet Nam